Sorry for the lapse in posting...

...but my computer completely died on me around monday and is currently in the shop, leaving me to use a library computer...but having seen District 9 yesterday I have a review coming soon and have updated the contender tracker so things should be up and running again shortly

The Oscar Hut's 1st Annual First 1/2 of the Year Awards: 2009 Edition vol. 1

Best Picture of The Year...So far:
- (500) Days of Summer

- Adventureland

- An Education

- Duplicity

- Funny People

- Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

- The Hurt Locker

- Public Enemies

- Star Trek

- Up

In honor of the Academy's decision to increase the Best Picture category to 10, we here at the Oscar Hut have followed suit and are now unveiling the ten best movies we have seen this year...so far. Much like how the Academy's long list will end up, ours showcases a variety of genres and styles of filmaking, but as the great Chris Lambert once famously said: There can only be one.

And The Oscar Hut Golden Pineapple goes to....

(500) Days of Summer

Best Director

- Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker

- Pete Docter for Up

- Michael Mann for Public Enemies

- Lone Scherfig for An Education

- Marc Webb for (500) Days of Summer

Each director on this list did an excellent job with their films, creating a world that serves the story, actors and film perfectly. The decision was a tough one, but in the end only one of these directors can take home the Golden Pineapple.

nd the winner is......

Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker

Best Actor

- Peter Capaldi for In The Loop

- Joseph Gordon Levitt for (500) Days of Summer

- Jeremy Renner for The Hurt Locker

- Seth Rogen for Observe and Report

- Adam Sandler for Funny People

I have a feeling that this short list will upset a few people, but the truth is, some of the year's best work has indeed come from comedies. While actors like Johnny Depp and Peter Sarsgaard did excellent jobs, they tied for 6ht by the way, they were just a bit too subtle I guess is the word I'm looking for. Either way, the men on this list did incredible work, and I guarantee that at least one of them will go on to receive an Oscar nomination.

And the winner is....

Joseph Gordon Levitt for (500) Days of Summer

Best Actress

- Amy Adams for Sunshine Cleaning

- Zooey Deschanel for (500) Days of Summer

- Carey Mulligan for An Education

- Gwyneth Paltrow for Two Lovers

- Julia Roberts for Duplicty

It's sad to say but 2009 has so far been a weak year for actresses, as I had to struggle to name 5 women worthy enough to be on this list, and as you can see in that respect I may have stretched it a bit. Only two of these women are true end of the year contenders, and the one who won did so in a complete landslide.

And the winner is....

Carey Mulligan for An Education

Best Supporting Actor

- Jason Bateman for State of Play

- Jim Broadbent for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

- Jackie Earl Haley for Watchmen

- Tom Hollander for In The Loop

- Anthony Mackie for The Hurt Locker

This was a tough one, the hardest by far to choose the five as there was so many great supporting turns so far this year. Alfred Molina missed the list by a hair, as did Seth Rogen and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. As far as the winner goes, that was the hardest decision of these awards, and my mind will probably change by tomorrow.

And the winner is....

Jackie Earl Haley for Watchmen

Best Supporting Actress

- Helena Bonham Carter for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

- Anna Chlumsky for In The Loop

- Patricia Clarkson for Whatever Works

- Marion Cottilard for Public Enemies

- Leslie Mann for Funny People

This was another tough one to choose a winner from. While the lead actresses may not have impressed me this year, the supporting actresses have, and my hope is that at least one of these ladies can hold on until Oscar time because the work here is really impressive.

And the winner is....

Marion Cottilard for Public Enemies

Best Original Screenplay goes to.....

Duplicity by Tony Gilroy

Best Adapted Screenplay goes to....

In The Loop by Armando Iannucci & Co.

Best Animated Film: UP

Best Editing: The Hurt Locker

Best Cinematography: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Best Special F/X: Star Trek

Best Score: UP

A note to readers of The Oscar Hut

The Oscar Hut is coming upon it's 1 year Anniversary this October, and I feel like we have accomplished what we have set out to do by providing alternate commentary on the Oscar race, delivering film reviews and for the most part constantly updating at least the contender tracker. The ammount of readers have grown exponentially in the last year, and by next year we hope to have enough daily readers to accomodate perhaps a message board and a full site.
But we cannot do this alone, which is why if there is anyone interested in becoming a member on the team, we are excepting applications via e-mail at tjpratt@bellsouth.net.
We hope many of you are interested and we thank you for staying with the blog through slow times and hiatus'.

Thank You,
Tyler j. Pratt, and Aaron Morales
The Oscar Hut Team

In Review, A Threesome: (500) Days of Summer, Funny People & In The Loop

For any readers wondering about the inactivity over the last week, I have been busy prepping for the fall semester of college starting in a bout two weeks. Thankfully, however, during this time period I was able to see three new films, as well as compile my First 1/2 of The Year Awards to be posted later. So here now, is my review(s) of three very different comedies coming in the form of a romantic comedy, behind the scenes dramady, and a political satire.

(500) Days of Summer:

I have never been a fan of romantic comedies, finding them to be generic, boring and having little if any substance based within our reality. With the exception of Woody Allen and very few other filmmakers, the romantic comedy has long been a cesspool for uncreative works, at least until now. (500) Days of Summer is a revelation, twisting and morphing the genre while revitalizing it from it's artistic slumber.

Directed by veteran music video auteur, Marc Webb, Summer is a fantastic movie featuring innovative direction, phenomenal writing and some of the best filmic story telling the genre has ever seen. Musical numbers, animation, split screen, narration and a non linear structure are all featured to great triumph, succeeding when the film could have ended up a huge failure. But like the saying goes, without risk there can be no reward.

The movie, which succeeds in nearly every department, however would have not done so had it been cast with the wrong actors. Thankfully, the stars of this film are indie sensations Joseph Gordon Levitt and Zooey Deschanel who both give the best most heartfelt performances of their careers. Deschanel, whose Summer could have easily become the film's villain, provides us with a complex modern day woman unsure of what she really wants, besides knowing she just wants to have fun. You feel for her, despite watching her as she breaks the heart of the movie's protagonist Tom, which leads us to Joseph Gordon Levitt. As Tom, Levitt breathes life and warmth into the movie, giving a funny, touching and heartfelt performance that surely ranks as the best work of his career. Hopefully, come awards time, voters will remember his work in this film as it truly shines and is a testament to his talent and versatility.

In short, (500) Days of Summer is without a doubt one of the best, if not the best films I've seen this year. It is deserving of any awards and accolades it receives, as it is a phenomenal entry into a genre that had died long ago, and it is definitely the perfect date movie.

Grade: A

Oscar Potential: Actor, Actress, Screenplay

Funny People:

The 3rd film from Judd Apatow, the reigning king of Hollywood comedy, Funny People is a definite departure from his previous efforts The 40 Year Old Virgin, and Knocked Up, into a new territory of more mature filmaking for Mr. Apatow, and while he could have ended up with egg on his face, Mr. Apatow efforts have given us perhaps his most complete film of his career.

Telling the duel stories of George Simmons, a famous comedian and movie star, and Ira Wright, a young up and comer on the comedy club circuit, Funny People weaves a tale of redemption and what fame means if you have no one to share it with, as well as how experiences can change the way you live, or not.
Featuring one of the best ensemble casts of the year, Funny People not only delivers some of the best writing of 2009, but more surprisingly some of the best acting as well. Adam Sandler, who stars as George Simmons a dying comedian and movie star, long known for his portrayal of immature man-boys delivers one of the best performances of his career and the year, playing what is basically a bizarro world version of himself. He conveys a world weariness rarely seen in his previous works, and is at different points manic, touchingly funny and devastatingly sad. My hope is that this film will lead him to more mature works like Punch Drunk Love and Reign Over Me, in which he can really sink his teeth into. Other great performances come from Seth Rogen and Mrs. Apatow herself, Leslie Mann, who both give career best work as the two most important people in George's life: his assistant best friend, and the love who got away. On a side note, Eric Bana steals the scenes he is in as Leslie Mann's Australian husband, giving a rapturously funny performance that is as complex as one could hope. Bana should definitely return to comedy in the future.

While it may be a bit overlong at times, Funny People is a definite comedy classic in the vein of James L. Brooks and Cameron Crowe's work. Judd Apatow has now proven himself equally adept at drama as he is at comedy, and my wish is that he can continue in today's economy to make work as mature and touching and hilarious as Funny People.

Grade: B

Oscar Potential: Picture, Director, Actor, Sup. Actor, Sup. Actress, Screenplay

In The Loop:

In The Loop is a film that I have been trying to wrap my head around for the past couple of weeks. It is at times increasingly outrageous and hilarious, while at other moments boring, putative and confusing. There are moments of comedic genius and others that feel like they are part of a bad BBC ripoff, ironic because it's director played a large role in the creation of The Thick of It from which In The Loop is adapted.

The screenplay is without a doubt excellent, written by Armando Iannucci and others, and features some of the wittiest lines and quotes in years, as is the acting from just about everyone involved. Peter Capaldi is phenomenal as Malcolm Tucker, a vile obscenity spewing spin doctor, and gives some of the year's best acting. Also impressive is Tom Hollander as a hapless government official who is a pawn in nearly everybodys political agenda except his own, and watching him as his career slowly destroys itself was a hilarious treat.
I will definitely be commenting further on this film once I can figure out exactly what the hell was going on, I am seeing it again tomorrow so this review will definitely be edited by next week.

Grade: As of now C+, but subject to change

Oscar Potential: Actor, Sup. Actor, Sup. Actress, Screenplay

"War is a Drug" The Hurt Locker, In Review

"War is a Drug", at least according to the main character Staff Sergeant James, played by Jeremy Renner in Kathryn Bigelow's Iraq war set character study, The Hurt Locker, also starring Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty and Christian Camargo along with cameos from Guy Pierce, David Morse and Ralph Feinnes.

Told as an exquisite representation of the Soldier's experience, rather than political drama or morality tale, The Hurt Locker succeeds where most Iraq war themed films don't. Showing for the first time, the point of view of the soldiers rather than trying to make some grandiose statement about how politics have influenced every facet of the war, and certainly without manipulating the audience.

Set in Iraq in 2004, Locker takes an intense, edge of your seat look at soldiers who may just have the toughest job in Iraq: Disarming bombs and explosives in a land forever in combat. When their first squad leader is killed on the job, Bravo company's bomb squad is taken over Sargent James, a potentially crazy rogue soldier who shocks his team with his brazen disregard for his own safety and their own. As the disposal unit desperately trys to control their new team leader while disarming bombs, the city explodes with combat leading the three men on a journey that will ultimately change them forever, or will it?

Perhaps most shocking about The Hurt Locker is it's helmer, veteran director Kathryn Bigelow who was last seen a few years ago with the release of the horrendous K19: The Widow Maker. Exploding back on to the film scene like one of the bombs her characters deal with on a daily basis, Bigelow has crafted perhaps the best film set within the current Iraq War filling the screen with breathtaking images along with white knuckled tension, making for a future classic.
The direction is sublime, as is the cinematography, editing and sound design, all of which were top notch efforts.

However, the film best succeeds with it's performances, uniformly great with two standout actors who may be looking at Awards contention come next February. In his first "big" leading man role, Jeremy Renner dominates the screen giving one of the year's best male performances. Radiating attitude, confidence and danger, Renner captivates the audience creating in Sargent James a character who is at one instance a wild danger, death and war junkie, the next a relatable human being that you can sympathize with though it can be a bit of a stretch.

Also shining, in a supporting role, is Anthony Mackie as Sanborn an war weary cautious, by the book soldier who is forced to trust his team leader, even if his renegade ways do not mesh with his style. Mackie devastates in a role that in the wrong hands couldn't have been more annoying, giving Sanborn a tragic arc that was extremely well handled. Other good performances came from Brian Gerghty, an increasingly talented character actor, as Eldridge, Christian Camargo as Eldridge's sort of counselor, and Ralph Feinnes as a terrorist hunter in the film's best cameo.

The Hurt Locker is definitely a film to see, and I personally cannot wait to see what Ms. Bigelow brings us next.

Grade: B+

Oscar Potential: Pic., Dir., Actor, Sup. Actor, Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing, Sound

On the cold stone scale: Gotta have it

Sorry for the Inactivity...

but i have not seen any new films since Half Blood Prince and with Funny People, (500) Days of Summer, The Hurt Locker and much more coming soon, things will be heating up in the coming weeks. Also, check out the polls and vote on the Oscar Hut's First Half of the Year Awards, then on August 3rd I will present the reader and editor's choice for the awards, so enjoy

How Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Reinvigorated my love for the series and fantasy cinema

Like many others of my generation who were around and able to read the Harry Potter books from whence they were first released, J.K. Rowling's series played a large role in my childhood maturation. In short, I loved the books having read each one, besides the 7t, at least 3 or 4 times. However, unfortunately as time wore on and I grew older, with each new release I became more and more disenchanted with the series both in book and film form. And with the release of films 4 and 5 I had officially fell out of love with the series.
All of this changed last night at a 9:10 showing of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.
I cannot recall ever enjoying a Harry Potter film this much, including The Prisoner of Azkaban. I just cannot explain the emotions that ran through me as I watched the movie. Despite possibly tampering with the first viewing experience by going with 6 Friends and my girlfriend, not the best way to see a film if you hate being distracted, I was instantly transported away back to Hogwarts and I was in bliss every moment.
First of all coming off a stylistically great, story lacking Order of the Phoenix two years ago, I was not expecting this movie to be as Good as it was. The cinematography by Bruce Delbono was excellent, using the same washed out color palettes of the last film to even better effect, and instantly had me connected to the aura of the screen if you will. The score was a fabulous depart from the familiar John Williams theme, and the Production/Costume design was the best of the series so far. I could also throw in David Yates excellent sophomore effort to boot, here's hoping he's back for the next two.
One must also mention how amazing the special f/x were, especially during the Quidditch matches.
Techs aside, I also feel like this latest installment featured some of the series's best acting so far, with nearly everybody but Daniel Radcliffe on their A game. Despite, what I felt was a lack of performance from Radcliffe, almost every single cast member impressed me with how amazing they were.
Helena Bonham Carter, despite a smaller role, mesmerized in every scene she was present. Capturing an ominously crazed persona that served the film's darker tone quite well. Alan Rickman and Michael Gambon were as good as they have ever been, and the casting of Jim Broadbent was top notch, in a weaker year he would be a shoo in for a Supporting Actor nomination and who knows, he might just get one. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson's talents have grown considerably with their age, as has, most surprisingly for me, Tom Felton's who was marvelous as Draco Malfoy almost out of nowhere, having merely been an annoying presence in the past.
What it comes down to is this: Harry Potter and the half Blood Prince is the best film of the Potter series so far, combining style and substance for sublime results and it will be a surefire Oscar contender that could even break into the Best Picture category now that it has been expanded.

Short Takes on Public Enemies, Whatever Works, Bruno and An Education

Public Enemies is a troubling film for me, the cinematography, editing, production design and sound were phenominally well done, the acting from Depp is calculated and cold, you can see the gears working in his eyes yet he remained restrained which I quite liked. Bale was serviceable, much better than his work in Terminator Salvation, and Marion Cottilard was phenominal, perfectly capturing Billie's nerves of steel and unrequited love for Dillinger. Mann is back, and I think that his next movie will send him over the top. I expect a few Oscar nods from this film that I wished was great, yet can only call it good.

While Whatever Works may only feel the need to be another Woody Allen comedy, I greatly enjoyed the wit and banter of the script and acting, which would have felt right at home had Allen made this in 1979 starring himself and Mariel Hemingway. Larry David is definitely good, giving a promising performance that could, if he so chooses, lead to an acting career of Alan Arkin, Alan Alda type roles. Evan Rachel Wood is charming enough, but it's Patricia Clarkson who steals the show giving perhaps the funnest ( I know it's not a word) performance I've ever seen her in, and if this year turns out weak for supporting actresses, she could reap an Oscar nomination.

Bruno, was hands down one of the funniest movies I have seen this year. There were no boring patches of nothing going on and the laughter of the audience drowned out many potential jokes.
Despite the low ratings it has recieved compared to Borat, Bruno features an excellent turn from Sacha Baron Coen who is just fucking hilarious to the point of no return. I give him props for having the cajones to go to the middle east and not only acting flamboyantly gay, but insulting a known terrorist in his own home. If anything, you'd be hard pressed to find a movie like it this year.

And finally, An Education. Having just seen it last night, I can't say I'm fully prepared to speak on it, I promise that in the coming weeks a full review will follow, but I can say that it is hands down the best movie I have seen so far this year. The directing is great, the tech aspects sublime and boasts a fantastic adapted screenplay. But nothing had me revelling more than the revelation that is Carey Mulligans performance. She captivates the screen, giving a heartfelt, awkward, funny and emotional performance that stands head and shoulders above any other actress this year. To say that she will get an Oscar nod is not saying enough. I am saying right here and now that Carey Mulligan will be this year's Best Actress winner, she is that great. Other wonderful performances come from Alfred Molina as her worried father, Rosamund Pike as a trophy girlfriend, and Peter Sarsgaard as the older man that seduces Mulligan. Other great turns come from Dominic Cooper and Emma Thompson in a smaller role.
Best movie ive seen of the year, and on a list of ten, a surefire Best Picture nominee.

One a Week: The Puffy Chair

An earlier product of the mumblecore movement, The Duplass Brother's The Puffy Chair is a refreshing, original take on the indie road trip movie genre, succeeding at being both a romantic comedy and a buddy movie as well as a dramady all at once.

Released in 2006, The Puffy Chair tells the story of a young couple played by writer Mark Duplass and Kathryn Aselton whose romance

isn't always a garden of roses. Constantly transitioning from lovely moments of bliss to annoyance with each other to huge arguments, the film at once sets up an ominous cloud that covers the story leaving the viewer to speculate their future. As the couple sets off on a road trip to pick up a present for Mark's father's birthday, the eponymous Puffy Chair, they encounter Mark's brother Rhett, who invites himself along for the ride, and a series of humorous events that pay off amazingly well due to the film's realistic approach.

If anything, The Puffy Chair is proof that you don't need money to make a great engaging comedy if you have good direction, a sharp intelligent script and actors who embrace the awkward realism and subtlety the film aims for.

The film's strongest aspect without a doubt is the acting. Despite the leads lack of experience or notoriety, Mark Duplass and Kathryn Aselton give great performances as the couple whose trip is crashed. As Josh, Mark Duplass captures the essence of a twenty something whose doubts and fear of commitment slowly destroy his relationship. Resorting to childish humor and baby talk as a defense mechanism, Duplass bravely embraces Josh's cowardice and repressed frustration. You can see in his eyes that he feels alone, the last sane man, despite the love he receives both his eccentric brother, another decent performance by Rhett Wilkins, and his girlfriend, played to great emotional bipolars by Kathryn Aselton.

In the end, The Puffy Chair is just a great movie, filled with great writing and direction from the Duplass brothers and acting that embraces realism while still being sharply intelligent and hilarious. It is a must see for any film lover.

The Oscar Hut Presents: One a Week!

A new feature here on The Hut will be a sort of rip off of Aint It Cool News' feature from Quint in which I will be watching a movie a week starting tommorow, based on random selection for the first week, after which I hope to recieve suggestions in the comment section below so enjoy the feature starting tommorow with mumblecore's The Duplass Brother's The Puffy Chair.